laundry appliance

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a laundry appliance with a washing additive dispenser. The laundry appliance comprises a cabinet, a vessel for accommodating laundry, and a motor for rotating the vessel relative to the cabinet. The vessel is rotatably supported within a water tight enclosure. The axis of rotation is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to a front panel of the cabinet. In an open condition, the cabinet provides access to the vessel via a vessel access area. A washing additive dispenser for dispensing additives to washing fluid contained in the water tight enclosure is positioned so that user access to the dispenser is located in the vessel access area.

This application is a non-provisional of 61/061,847, having a filing date of Jun. 16, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a laundry appliance with a washing additive dispenser.

2. Description of the Prior Art

WO00/28126 describes a laundry appliance whereby the perforated laundry containing drum may be moved out of the appliance cabinet for ease of loading and unloading the laundry. The drum is supported in an “east-west” side-to-side orientation within a cabinet. The laundry handling system, including the drum and many other components, is contained in a tilt-out or slide-out structure allowing the laundry handling system to be moveable out from the cabinet. Access to the interior of the drum is provided through a slide away hatch section in the cylindrical wall of the drum. When the structure is withdrawn from the cabinet the drum hatch is accessed substantially from the top. The rotatable drum is driven by a motor from one end only. The motor rotates the drum during all phases of operation (wash, rinse and spin). The drum hatch opening and closing operation is performed by fixing the hatch relative to the cabinet, unlatching the hatch relative to the drum, and rotating the drum to slide the hatch away from, or back over, the open section in the drum wall.

EP211463 describes a laundry washing machine with a laundry containing drum mounted in a side-to-side orientation within a cabinet. The drum is accessed from the top of the machine via a door in the top of the cabinet. A detergent container is arranged at the top of the machine inside the cabinet, and is accessible when the cabinet door is lifted when accessing the drum.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing appliance that goes some way to improving on the above laundry appliances, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to one aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a laundry appliance comprising:

a cabinet,

a vessel for accommodating laundry,

a motor for rotating the vessel relative to the cabinet,

the vessel rotatably supported within a water tight enclosure, the axis of rotation being substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to a front panel of the cabinet,

the water tight enclosure being one of, a) a sub-structure within the cabinet, or b) the cabinet,

the cabinet including, in at least an open condition, access to the vessel via a vessel access area, and

a washing additive dispenser with user access to the dispenser located in the vessel access area.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of all example laundry appliance in which the present invention may be incorporated.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are diagrammatic cross sectional side views demonstrating the manner in which the laundry handling system emerges from the cabinet.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are pictorial views of the washing additives dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the washing additive dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the washing additive dispenser, on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 a is a pictorial view of the washing additive dispenser in the closed position within the vessel access area of a laundry appliance.

FIG. 6 b is a pictorial view of the washing additive dispenser in the open position within the vessel access area of a laundry appliance.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the washing additive dispenser, on line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view of a second example laundry appliance in which the present invention may be incorporated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a washing machine of the horizontal axis type, having a perforated drum 1 supported with its axis substantially horizontal in an “east-west” side-to-side orientation within a cabinet 2. The drum is confined in an open topped substructure 3 supported within the cabinet. The open topped substructure includes surfaces which confine wash or rinse liquid, leaving the drum within a water tight enclosure.

Alternatively, the cabinet 2 may include surfaces which confine the wash or rinse liquid, leaving the drum within a water tight enclosure. Some parts of the cabinet structure 2 may be formed together with the liquid confining surfaces by, for example, twin-sheet thermoforming. In particular the back and side walls of the machine may be formed in this way.

The laundry handling system including the drum and other components is, in the preferred embodiment of the washing machine incorporating the present invention, contained in the substructure 3 within the cabinet 2. The substructure 3 may include a front panel 4. In the preferred embodiment, the substructure is a tiltable structure. The laundry handling system is movable out from cabinet 2 as explained later with reference to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

To give access to the inside of the drum 1 the drum includes a main drum section 10 and a hatch section 5. In FIG. 1 the hatch section is shown in its disconnected and withdrawn mode, with the machine open ready for the user to add a washing load. The hatch section 5 extends the full width of the drum, and is connected along opposed edges 6, 7 to the two free edges 8, 9 of the main drum section 10. The hatch section is connected in such a way that it can be fully secured to each edge of the main drum section when closed. Therefore, under a spin cycle of the washing machine, with the drum rotating at up to 1000 RPM or more, the drum is capable of handling the centrifugal forces generated.

The washing machine includes an electric motor (for example rotor 13 and stator 14) to effect rotation of the drum during all phases of operation) (wash, rinse and spin dry). In the preferred form of the washing machine incorporating the present invention the motor is a direct drive inside-out electronically commutated brushless dc motor having a permanent magnet rotor 13 coupled to one end 11 of the drum 1 and stator 14 coupled to the drum enclosure. One suitable form of motor is described in EP0361775.

Accordingly the cabinet 2 of the washing machine is formed to provide access to the drum 1 in a substantially top loading fashion, rather than the traditional front loading fashion more common to horizontal axis machines.

It is a feature of the washing machine incorporating the present invention to provide for ease and convenience when loading and unloading laundry. This is achieved by mounting the “east-west” oriented drum 1 and associated components of the wash system in a moveable substructure 3, which in the preferred embodiment can be tilted out of the laundry machine cabinet to present the laundry drum 1, and in particular the hatch entry way into the drum, at a convenient height for the user.

A preferred form of configuration for achieving this is shown in FIG. 1, with the operation thereof demonstrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. Laundry machine cabinet 2 formed by a rear wall 102, a top 103, a base 104, and side walls 105 is provided with an open front in which substructure 3 is mounted. Substructure 3 incorporates supports for rotating drum 1 along with the motor which drives the drum. The substructure includes front panel 4 which closes off the cabinet 2 when then substructure is retracted into the cabinet.

Side walls 106 of substructure 3 provide structural support and carry the load of drum 1 and the laundry load accommodated in the drum. According to one arrangement, the lower most edges 107 of each side wall 106 transfers the substructure load to the cabinet base 104. Front panel 4 does not engage with base 104 and does not play part in weight transfer.

The way in which the tilt-out substructure is withdrawn from the cabinet may be achieved in a number of ways, such as that described in WO/00/28126. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the bottom edges 107 of the side walls 106 may be arcuate in shape to form rocking surfaces which roll on the base 104. To ensure that rocking surfaces 107 on each side of the substructure 3 track correctly and in lateral alignment along the base 104, the side walls 116 have rack teeth 108 formed near in the rocking surfaces 107. These rack formations engage with a corresponding straight horizontal rack 109 fixed to the base 104 of cabinet 2.

The rocking surfaces and corresponding tracks allow the tilt-out substructure to be withdrawn from the cabinet in a rocking motion by applying an outward force to the top portion front panel 4.

Alternatively, the tilt-out substructure may incorporate a pivot point on what may be considered the foot or the front corner of the machine. The substructure 3 is pivotally connected at the bottom edge to the base of the washer. In use the user would pivot out the substructure in a manner akin to a tilt out drawer, to present the opened drum for loading or unloading of laundry.

In a further alternative to the tilting/rocking mechanism described, ergonomic presentation of the clothes drum may be achieved using a “sliding drawer” configuration. For example, a laundry appliance with a sliding drawer configuration is shown in FIG. 8. For such a configuration, the substructure supporting the drum 1 may move linearly and horizontally in and out of the washer cabinet The substructure may be supported on strong drawer slides. For example, the tracks fixed to the drawer may ride on rollers which in turn are supported on horizontal tracks which telescope out of cabinet 2 on opening. When open, the drum surface is exposed to the user from the top and the drum rotation is controlled to present an open hatch to allow top loading or unloading of the clothes drum.

With the withdrawable laundry handling system, the washing machine incorporating the present invention is ideally suited for location under a bench or worktop. A further benefit of the type of washing machine described is that other laundry appliances, such as a drier, may be stacked on top of the washing machine to conserve floor space in a laundry.

The movable substructure incorporates one or more liquid collection sump, which collect runoff liquid from different areas of the surfaces enclosing the drum. One or more liquid collection sumps generally indicated as 15 are formed in a bottom of the substructure. In use, liquid exiting the drum through perforations in the drum drains down front or rear wall portions of the substructure 3 and collects in the sump 15 in FIG. 1. The sump includes an outlet to which water within the sump drains. A pump is connected to the outlet. In the preferred embodiment of the washing machine incorporating the present invention, the pump is located directly below the outlet, to operate at the direction of a control processor.

In the preferred form of machine incorporating the present invention the wash liquid is passed directly into drum 1, through inlets disposed in one or both of the drum ends 11, 12. The shaft extending from at least one drum end, and over which a drum supporting bearing is fitted, preferably includes an open axial bore. Pressurised wash liquid is supplied to the drum interior through this bore.

Operation of the machine is controlled by a controller. The controller may be a suitably programmed mircocomputer. A typical microcomputer would include a microprocessor, memory and associated support circuits. Alternatively, controllers could include programmed logic circuits. The controller controls water valves, pumps and the motor in accordance with programs residing within its memory, with user settings at a macro level and with signals from transducers and indications from the various motor loads, at a micro level. Physically the microprocessor is preferably located in an isolated and environment-proofed compartment mounted in the moveable unit 3. For example, the controller may be located between the front panel 4 and the inner front wall 16 of the moveable substructure 3. This places it in close proximity with nearly all of the items that it connects to. User settings are preferably made on a control pad. The control pad may be mounted on or adjacent a top front surface 17 of front panel 4 together with a corresponding display.

In use the washing operation begins with the delivery to the interior of the drum of a load of washing to be washed. Opening of the drum hatch is accomplished automatically prior to user access to the drum. In particular the machine includes a door latch associated with the moveable substructure which restricts the ability to withdraw the moveable substructure from the cabinet. Activation of the latch is intended to be accomplished by user activation of a touch control. It may however be by direct user actuation of the latch, in which case a sensor must detect when the latch is being operated. Preferably rotation of the drum 1 to a preferred opening position and opening of the drum hatch 5 is accomplished before the latch is fully released, so that on withdrawing the moveable substructure 3, the contents of the drum are presented to the user. Therefore, as soon as delatching of the moveable substructure is requested by the user, any operation currently in progress (for example spin or wash cycle) is terminated. Drum 1 is then brought substantially to rest at a position where the hatch section 5 may be opened. A hatch latch is withdrawn to release the connection between edge 6 of the hatch section and corresponding edge 8 of the main drum section 10. With the hatch retrained in that position, drum 1 is then rotated (clockwise in FIG. 1), to create the necessary opening, with the hatch section 5 lying about the outside of the main drum section 10. The drum is now in its open configuration as shown in FIG. 1. The moveable substructure is then de-latched from the cabinet 2 to allow the user to open the door and access the interior of the drum, for example as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 b. The drum is locked in this position against rotation and remains in this condition until the moveable substructure is closed and the wash cycle started or recommenced.

The user places a wash load in the drum and places whatever detergents and washing additives are desired into an appropriate additive dispenser. The user then closes the door 4 and selects an appropriate wash program, for example by pressing the appropriate button on the control pad. A wash program may consist of any combination of soak, wash, rinse and spin cycles of varying intensity and duration.

With the wash load in the drum and the door closed, the process of opening the drum is reversed. The main drum section 10 is rotated (anti-clockwise in FIG. 1) to draw the hatch section back across the drum opening until the trailing edge 6 of the hatch section is retained by the edge 8 of the drum opening and the leading edge 7 of the hatch section locks with edge 9 of drum section 10. The hatch latch is returned to the retained position to securely interconnect edges 6 and 8, and the hatch section is released from the substructure. At this point the wash, rinse and spin cycles can begin.

Washing Additive Dispenser

The present invention relates to a washing additive dispenser 20, to be incorporated into a washing machine. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention will be incorporated into a washing machine with a tilt-out substructure as already described. However, the present invention may equally be incorporated into any one of the embodiments already described, including the sliding drawer style washing machine.

The present invention may equally be incorporated into a top loading washing machine that does not have a moveable substructure. This configuration of washing machine is well known, with access to the drum being provided via a cabinet top or lid that opens from the top of the washing machine cabinet, the lid generally pivoting about an axis located towards the back of the machine. However, the following description of the present invention will be explained with reference to the washing machine of the tilt-out configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the dispenser 20 is in the form of a tray. The tray includes two side walls 21, a rear wall 22 and a front wall 23 extending between the two side walls, and a tray bottom 24 joined adjacent to a lower edge of each of the four walls. The side walls and rear and front walls extend from the tray bottom substantially normal to the tray bottom.

The tray may be divided into a plurality of separate compartments by dividing walls 25 located parallel to and in between the side walls 21. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, three dividing walls 25 divide the tray 20 into four separate compartments to facilitate four separate washing additives such as a pre-wash additive, main-wash additive, bleach and fabric softener. Alternatively a different number of compartments may be incorporated as required by the desired machine operation.

The tray may be integrally formed in one piece, by injection moulding or other appropriate manufacturing process known in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the tray dispenser incorporates a cover 26 fitted to the rear wall 22 of the tray. The cover is extends slightly longer than the rear wall, to overlap the side walls 21 of the tray, and extends higher than the rear wall 22, extending from adjacent the bottom edge of the rear wall 22 to a height above the top edge of the rear wall 22.

In the preferred embodiment, the height of the cover 26 is approximately twice the height of the front wall 23. Preferably an upper edge 27 of each side wall 21, and an upper edge 28 of each dividing wall 25 extends from an upper edge 29 of the front wall 23 to adjacent an upper portion of the cover 26. Preferably the cover extends to a height above the height of the top of the dividing walls and the side walls.

Alternatively, the cover may be integrally formed with the tray. In this embodiment, the cover and rear wall are one and the same element of the tray dispenser, with the rear wall extending to a height above that of the front wall. In this embodiment the rear wall also acts as a cover for the tray when the tray is in the closed position.

The tray has an open top bounded by the upper edge 27 of each side wall 21, and the upper edge 29 of the front wall 23 and an upper edge 30 of the cover 26. The rear wall and front wall are substantially longer in length than the side walls, so that the perimeter of the open top is substantially an elongated rectangular opening.

With reference to FIG. 6, the tray is located in a window in an inside surface of the tilt-out substructure 3. In the preferred embodiment the window is located in a substantially vertical inside surface 40. The tray is preferably located towards the front of the machine, in front of and above the drum 1, the inside surface 40 facing towards the drum and the rear of the machine. In this position the dispenser tray is located substantially in the drum access area when the moveable substructure is withdrawn from the cabinet.

The tray 20 is moveably attached to the tilt-out substructure 3, the tray being moveable between a closed position and an open position. The tray may be slidingly attached to the substructure, to slide between the open and closed positions. In the preferred embodiment, the tray is pivotally attached to the substructure. The tray pivot axis 31 lies adjacent to and substantially along a bottom edge of the rear wall 22. The tray may be attached by a pivot pin located adjacent a bottom corner of each side wall of the tray, adjacent the bottom edge of the rear wall.

The pivot pins may be formed integral with each tray side wall, with corresponding pivot pin receptacles in the tilt-out substructure in which the pivot pins locate. Alternatively the pivot pins may be integral to the tilt-out substructure, with corresponding pin receptacles 32 located on each side wall of the tray.

The dispenser tray pivots around the pivot axis from an open position (shown in FIG. 6 b) to a closed position (shown in FIG. 6 a). The dispenser remains within the water tight enclosure of the tiltable substructure 3 enclosing the drum. The dispenser remains on the drum side of the water tight surfaces enclosing the drum. When closed the foremost part 23 of the dispenser 20 is located approximately adjacent the foremost part of the drum 1.

In the closed position the cover 26 of the tray 20 is substantially flat against the corresponding surface 40 in which the dispenser tray is located. The shape of the cover of the tray matches the shape of the surface of the tilt out substructure in which the tray is located. For example, in the preferred embodiment the surface of the tilt-out substructure in which the tray is located is slightly curved. The cover is also curved, with a corresponding radius of curvature to allow the cover to lie flat against the tilt out substructure when in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 6 a. The tray may be slightly recessed into the surface in which it is located, so that in the closed position, the cover is substantially in-plane with the surface in which the tray is located.

The dispenser tray pivots around the pivot axis from the closed position to the open position. In the open position, with the tray pivoted from the substantially vertical inner surface 40 of the tilt-out substructure towards and over the drum opening, the open top of the tray 20 is exposed to a user in an ergonomic position within the drum access area. Washing detergents may then be added to the tray compartments in accordance with appropriate washing instructions.

In the preferred embodiment, the top edge 27 of each side wall 21 and the top edge 28 of each dividing wall 25 is curved, with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the pivot radius of the tray. This produces a constant height between the upper edge of the side walls and dividing walls, and an upper edge of the window in which the tray is located, as the tray is moved between the open and closed positions.

As described above, the cover 26 is higher than the front wall 23. The respective heights of the cover and the front wall are determined by the radial distance from the pivot axis 31. As the pivot axis is adjacent to and substantially along a bottom edge of the rear wall, the cover height is substantially taller that the height of the front wall.

Some of the compartments may be designed specifically to dispense liquids, and other compartments to dispense powders. For example, in the preferred embodiment, two of the compartments are designed to dispense liquids, the bleach compartment 33 and fabric softener compartment 34. Each liquid dispensing compartment has an aperture 35 in the bottom of the compartment, the aperture located substantially centrally in the compartment. The compartment is fitted with an up-stand pipe 36 around the central aperture. The up-stand pipe 36 extends from the bottom 24 of the compartment to a height lower than the height of the compartment walls. The up-stand pipe 36 provides an outlet for the liquid washing additive, the outlet being raised to a height-above the bottom of the compartment.

The aperture and associated up-stand pipe need not be located centrally within the liquid dispensing compartment. For example, the aperture and up-stand pipe may be located towards one side of the compartment.

In order for liquid to be dispensed from the compartment via the outlet 35, the liquid must flood over the top of the up-stand pipe 36, down the top stand pipe and through the bottom aperture 35. In use, a siphon cap 37 is used to siphon liquid additive from the liquid compartment. The siphon cap is preferably cylindrical, open at one end, and closed at the opposite end. The siphon cap fits over the up-stand pipe. The open end of the siphon cap abuts against at least one shoulder 38 provided in the bottom of the compartment. The shoulder 38 ensures that the closed end of the siphon cap 37 is spaced from the upper edge of the up stand pipe 36. Three longitudinal webs 39 are provided on the outside of the up-stand pipe. The extent of the webs 39 in a radial direction from the centre of the up-stand pipe 36 corresponds with the internal diameter of the siphon cap. Thus, the three webs ensure the siphon cap fits concentrically over the up-stand pipe. The outer surface of the up-stand pipe and the inner surface of the siphon cap create an annular flow path for the liquid additive to flow from the compartment. The liquid additive flows up the outside of the up-stand pipe 36, in the annular space between the up-stand pipe 36 and the siphon cap 37, over the top of the up-stand pipe, down the up-stand pipe and out through the central aperture 35.

In use, the user fills the compartment with liquid additive to a maximum fill height. The maximum fill height is below the height of the up-stand pipe. Therefore the liquid additive is contained in the compartment. To dispense the liquid additive, water is added into the compartment at the appropriate stage of the washing cycle. The machine controller determines when to turn a dispensing water supply on to add water to the compartment. As water is added to the compartment, the liquid level in the compartment rises to a level higher than the top of the up-stand pipe 36. Thus, the liquid additive is dispensed from the compartment via the outlet in a siphoning action, over the top of the up-stand pipe. The liquid contained in the compartment will continue to siphon over the up-stand pipe until the compartment is empty.

To assist with draining the liquid from the compartment, a well 51 is provided in the bottom of each liquid compartment. The open end of the siphon cap 37 extends down into the well 51 to ensure most of the liquid is siphoned from the compartment. A further feature of the liquid compartment is at least one channel 41 in the bottom of the compartment, as shown in FIG. 4. The channel 41 provides a drain path in the bottom 24 of the compartment leading into the well 51. Preferably the bottom of the compartment is slightly curved, with the well located at the lower most position within the compartment.

To assist the user with filling the compartment, the compartment may have a fill line marked on an inside surface of one of the compartment walls. Alternatively, the siphon cap may incorporate a tab 42 as shown in the Figures. The tab 42 is fixed to the closed end of the siphon cap, preferably at an angle to the closed end of the siphon cap so that the tab is oriented substantially horizontally when the tray is moved to the open position ready to be filled with liquid additive.

The liquid compartment may also contain a weir 43. The weir may be adjacent to the front wall 23, and may extend parallel to the front wall, extending between the side wall 21 and the dividing wall 25, or extending between two dividing walls 25, the side wall and dividing wall, or the two dividing walls, defining the sides of the compartment. The top edge of the weir is below the height of the compartment walls. The weir 43 allows any excess flow of water to overflow from the compartment, over the top of the weir and out of the compartment via a weir outlet 44. The dispenser tray has an open bottom between the side wall and dividing wall, and the front wall and the weir, the open bottom defining the weir outlet. Alternatively, the tray bottom may extend between the front wall and the back wall, with apertures provided in the tray bottom between the weir 43 and the front wall 23, the apertures providing a flow path and defining the weir outlet. Generally, in use the in flow of water applied to the compartment is higher than the flow of liquid additive being siphoned from the compartment. The excess water flow into the compartment is passed over the weir 43.

Flow over the weir alone is not effective in draining the liquid additive from the compartment. The siphon arrangement ensures substantially all liquid additive is dispensed from the compartment, except for a small amount of liquid remaining in the well.

To ensure substantially all liquid additive is dispensed from the compartment, the controller may cycle the siphon several times, by adding water to the compartment a subsequent number of times after the first siphon operation has completed. Some liquid additives are relatively viscous compared to water. As the additive siphons from the compartment for the first time, some liquid additive may remain in a layer on the inside of the siphon cap 37 and the outside of the up-stand pipe 36. This layer of additive drains to the bottom of the siphon cap and remains in the compartment. This left over additive may be dispensed from the compartment in subsequent siphon operations by adding water to the compartment to begin the siphoning operating again. The liquid additive is diluted by subsequent watering and siphoning operations. The viscosity of the liquid contained in the compartment decreases with each subsequent siphoning operation, allowing substantially all liquid to be dispensed from the compartment. It has been found that around five siphoning cycles result in substantially all liquid additive being dispensed from the compartment.

When in the closed position, and with the tiltable structure 3 also in the closed position, the dispenser tray is oriented so that the up-stand pipe 36, the rear wall 22, the front wall 23 and the weir 43 are oriented substantially vertically.

At least one of the compartments may be designed to dispense powdered additives only, and not liquid additives, such as the main wash compartment 45 and the pre-wash compartment 46. The powder compartments may have an internal wall 47 parallel to the front wall 23 in a similar fashion to the weir of the liquid compartments. The internal wall 47 extends part way between a dividing wall 25 and a side wall 21, or part way between two dividing walls 25, the side wall and dividing wall, or two dividing walls, defining the sides of the compartment.

The bottom 24 of the powder compartment extends beyond the internal wall 47, extending from the rear wall 22 to the front wall 23 of the dispenser. A portion of the compartment bottom on the front wall side of the internal wall 47 may be absent, thus providing an outlet 50 for the powder to be dispensed. This configuration is shown for the main wash compartment 45 in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the whole of the compartment bottom on the front wall side of the internal wall may be absent to provide the compartment outlet 50. This configuration is shown for the pre-wash compartment in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the top of the internal wall 47 may be connected to the top of the front wall 23 by a bridging portion 48. The bridging portion 48 may extend all the way along the top of internal wall 47 as shown for the pre-wash compartment 46, or part way along the internal wall as shown for the main wash compartment 45.

The bottom of the powder compartment is preferably radiused into the walls of the compartment to prevent any corner areas in which powdered additives may get stuck. The radius between the bottom 24 and a compartment wall 21, 22, 23, 25 may extend approximately 50% up the height of the wall. The radius between the bottom 24 and the internal wall 47, on the rear wall side of the internal wall, may diminish to substantially an un-radiused corner at the extent 52 of the internal wall 47. The radius between the bottom 24 and the side wall 21, or the bottom 24 and a dividing wall 25, in line with the internal wall 47 may diminish to an un-radiused corner. The radius between the bottom 24 and the front wall 23 may diminish to an un-radiused corner. The extent of the compartment walls 21, 22, 23, 25, 47 being radiused into the bottom 24 is shown by line 49 in FIG. 4. The radiused bottom provides a drain path from the edges of the bottom and compartment walls to the compartment outlet 50 formed between the internal wall 47 and the front wall 23 of the tray. The outlet is located at the lowermost position of the compartment bottom.

It has been found that the relatively large radius between the compartment walls and compartment bottom are necessary to prevent powdered collecting in corners of the compartment. It is not so important to have a radius between the side walls 21 and the bottom 24 in the liquid dispensing compartments. The liquid dispensing compartments 33, 34 have a substantially sharp or un-radiused transition between the bottom of the compartment walls 21, 22, 25, 43 and the compartment bottom 24, compared to the powder dispensing compartments 45, 46.

As described above, the liquid dispensing compartments 33, 34 are designed to dispense liquid additive only. However, although primarily designed to dispense powdered additives, the powdered additives compartments 45, 46 may be designed to also dispense liquids. A powdered additive compartment may be converted to dispense liquid additives by providing the facility to allow a user to fit a removable siphon insert to the compartment. A suitable removable insert for converting a powder dispensing compartment to a liquid dispensing department would have a bottom and four side walls, the insert shaped to be received within the compartment. The insert would incorporate a well and up-stand pipe as previously described, and would be used with an associated siphon cap. The outlet of the up-stand pipe would communicate with an outlet 50 of the powder dispensing compartment 45, 46.

A shower assembly 60 may be mounted above the dispenser tray 20 when the tray is in the closed position and the tiltable structure is closed. When the dispenser tray is in the closed position, the shower assembly sprays water into the dispenser. The water spray enters the tray through the tray open top. The controller controls valves to direct water spray into each dispenser compartment as required by the chosen wash cycle, to flush the washing additive from each compartment, and to clean the dispenser once all additives have been dispensed. The shower may spray water into the dispenser compartments individually as required by the washing cycle.

In one embodiment the dispenser is opened and closed by the user manually pulling the tray 20 open and pushing the tray 20 closed. A simple locking clip may be attached to an upper edge of the dispenser tray to hold the tray in the closed position, and to set the tray in the fully open position. The locking clip may be located along the upper edge of one of the dividing walls. In this case, a portion of the dividing wall may be shaped to accommodate fitment of the clip to the dispenser tray.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a catch 70 is provided in a cantilever configuration, with a cantilever portion 71 being fixed adjacent to the rear wall 22 or cover 26, adjacent the opening of tray. The cantilever portion 71 is attached by a flexible connection 72 to the tray so that the cantilever portion and catch may be deflected downwards, flexing about the connection point 72 adjacent the rear wall 22 or cover 26. The cantilever portion 71 is preferably located in a cavity 73 in the dividing wall 25 separating two compartments. The cavity 73 is located below the upper edge 28 of the dividing wall, the cantilever position being located below the upper edge of the dividing wall 25. The catch 70 extends through a first aperture 74 in the upper edge of the dividing wall, the first aperture 74 and catch 70 preferably being located substantially adjacent the front wall 23 of the dispenser tray 20.

The cantilever portion 71 is provided with at least one actuating knob 75. The actuating knob extends through a second aperture 76 in the upper edge 28 of the dividing wall 25, the second aperture and actuating knob are preferably located near the cover 26 end of the cantilever portion 71. Downwards pressure on the actuating knob deflects the cantilever portion, and hence the catch 70, downwards, to displace the catch into the dividing wall cavity 73.

In the preferred embodiment, the cantilever portion 71 is fitted with two actuating knobs 75, the knobs being centred around the corresponding dividing wall 25. A bottom surface 77 of each knob as shown in FIG. 3 b acts as a shoulder to bear against a corresponding shoulder 78 on the dividing wall 25. The knob shoulders bearing against the corresponding dividing wall shoulders set a limit to the amount the cantilever portion 71 can be deflected downwards. This arrangement prevents over flexing and damage to the flexible connection 72 connecting the cantilever portion to the tray.

When the tray is in the closed position, the cantilever portion and catch is in their raised position, the catch hooking against a corresponding first internal surface of the appliance. In the preferred embodiment, the catch 70 hooks onto a back surface of the shower assembly 60 when the tray is closed. The catch maintains the tray in the closed position.

Referring to FIG. 6 a, preferably, a button 80 is movably attached adjacent to the vertical surface 40 in which the dispenser 20 is located. Inwards movement of the button 80 strikes the actuating knobs 75 and displaces the cantilever portion 71 and catch 70 downwards, until the catch disengages from and clears the corresponding internal surface of the appliance. Once the catch is clear from the internal surface, the dispenser tray may be moved open. One the tray is moved from the closed position, the actuating knob 75 clears the button and the cantilever portion and catch return to their raised position.

The button 80 may move relative to the tray and the tiltable structure in a sliding manner, or the button may pivot, for example pivoting about an axis adjacent a top edge of the button.

As described previously, preferably the cover 26 extends above the height of the top of the dividing walls and side walls of the tray. To allow the button 80 to contact the actuating knobs 75, a cut out 81 is provided in the cover 26 in which the button is located.

In the open position, the catch 70 hooks against a second internal surface of the appliance. In the preferred embodiment the catch 70 hooks against a back side of the surface 40 in which the dispenser tray is located. The catch prevents the tray from being opened beyond the open position.

The dispenser 20 may be opened and closed by the user manually pulling the tray open and pushing the tray closed. Alternatively, the dispenser may be fitted with a spring and damper system. In this embodiment, the tray 20 is pushed manually to the closed position where the catch 70 hooks the first internal surface to maintain the tray in the closed position against the spring force. Once the catch is released from the first internal surface by the button 80, the tray tilts out automatically under action of the spring and damper system, until the open position is reached where the catch 70 hooks the second internal surface.

The catch release mechanism may be actuated by a push button as described previously. Alternatively, a button may be located on an alternative surface of the appliance, such as on the front panel 4, or on or adjacent to the top surface 17 of the front panel 4 which is ergonomically accessible. The button may be a mechanically displaced button such as a touch pad or other button like that described previously, or it may be a virtual button on a touch screen. The button may form part of at catch system that operates a mechanical catch. Alternatively, the button may operate an electromechanical device to drive the dispenser tray to open and close automatically. Alternatively the catch release may be a push-to-close/push-to-open mechanism that is actuated by pushing a location on the back surface of the dispenser tray rear wall, to initially push the tray in the closed direction to release the catch.

With the dispenser tray attached to the tilt-out substructure together with the other laundry handling system components, there is no requirement for a flexible hose between the dispenser tray outlet and the inside of the washing machine. The various washing additives added to the dispenser compartments are flushed directly from the dispenser onto an interior surface or surfaces of the enclosure surrounding the drum and into the sump 15 in the bottom of the substructure, and not into the drum or onto the clothes. This allows for a substantially uniform dispersion of the washing additives into the wash water. Alternatively, the dispenser may flush directly into the sump. During a wash cycle, the wash water contained within the sump is pumped from the sump into the drum. The wash water may be continuously recirculated during a wash cycle. Once a wash cycle is completed, the wash water is pumped from the sump to a drain for disposal.

In prior art washing machines, the powder may be drained from a powder dispenser directly onto the clothes washing load, which can result in variable dispersion of the washing powder, and at worst, un-dissolved powder remaining on the clothes at the end of the washing cycle.

With the dispenser tray located in surface 40 of the substructure, the dispenser is oriented substantially parallel to the drum axis and the front panel 4 of the appliance. In this position, the tray 20 may extend across the appliance for a significant portion of the width of the drum access area. For example, the tray may extend across at least 75% of the width of the drum access area. In the preferred embodiment the tray is located centrally in surface 40, with the centreline of the tray substantially inline with the centre line of the drum. Alternatively, the tray may be located to one side of the drum centre line.

With the tilt-out substructure withdrawn from the cabinet, and the dispenser tray pivoted to the open position at the inside top front of the appliance, the dispenser tray is easily accessible. With the tray in the closed position, the inside of the appliance looks tidy, and the access area to the drum is maximised.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. A laundry appliance comprising: a cabinet, a vessel for accommodating laundry, a motor for rotating the vessel relative to the cabinet, the vessel rotatably supported within a water tight enclosure, the axis of rotation being substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to a front panel of the cabinet, the water tight enclosure being one of, a) a sub-structure within the cabinet, or b) the cabinet, the cabinet including, in at least an open condition, access to the vessel via a vessel access area, and a washing additive dispenser with user access to the dispenser located in the vessel access area.
 2. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser is located in a substantially vertical inside surface of the appliance, said inside surface facing inwardly toward said vessel.
 3. A laundry appliance according to claim 2 wherein the inside surface faces towards the drum and rear of the appliance, the dispenser being located adjacent a top front surface of the appliance, in front of and above the vessel.
 4. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one outlet of said dispenser flushes to an interior surface of said water tight enclosure.
 5. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one outlet of said dispenser flushes to an interior surface of said water tight enclosure adjacent the foremost part of said vessel.
 6. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one outlet of said dispenser flushes into a sump, the water tight enclosure draining into the sump.
 7. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein said dispenser is located within said water tight enclosure.
 8. A laundry appliance according to claim 2 wherein said dispenser is moveably attached to said inside surface so that said dispenser may be moved between a closed position and an open position.
 9. A laundry appliance according to claim 8 wherein said dispenser is pivotally attached to said inside surface so that said dispenser may be pivoted between said closed and said open positions.
 10. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 8 wherein said dispenser lies substantially flat against said inside surface when in the closed position.
 11. A laundry appliance according to any one of claims 8 wherein said dispenser moves open automatically when a user activates a dispenser opening system, said opening system comprising: a catch to maintain said dispenser in the closed position, a catch release mechanism to release said catch, and a spring and damper system to control the opening rate of said dispenser.
 12. A laundry appliance according to claim 11 wherein said catch release mechanism is actuated via a button located on said inside surface, adjacent a top edge of the dispenser.
 13. A laundry appliance according to claim 11 wherein said catch release mechanism is actuated via a button located in or adjacent to a top front surface of the appliance.
 14. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein the vessel access area is above the vessel in a top loading configuration.
 15. A laundry appliance according to claim 1 wherein said substructure is moveably coupled within the interior of the cabinet in such a way as to allow at least an upper part of the substructure to be withdrawn from the cabinet to the open condition to provide the vessel access area, the vessel access area being adjacent a top front surface of the substructure.
 16. A laundry appliance according to claim 15 wherein the substructure is withdrawn from said cabinet in a tilting or pivoting motion, tilting or pivoting about an axis adjacent the base of said cabinet.
 17. A laundry appliance according to claim 15 wherein the substructure is withdrawn from the cabinet in a substantially horizontal sliding motion.
 18. A laundry appliance according to claim 3 wherein a main lateral dimension of said dispenser extends substantially parallel to said top front surface, said lateral dimension extending across a substantial portion of the width of said vessel access area.
 19. A laundry appliance according to claim 17 wherein said lateral dimension is at least 75% of the width of said vessel access area. 